Carrick takes over from caretaker manager Leo Percovich – a much loved figure at the club who steadied the ship for five games following Chris Wilder’s departure. Percovich oversaw two wins, one draw and two defeats during his spell in charge and hands over the reigns to Carrick with the club sitting in 21st place. With Middlesbrough just outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, it makes the decision to appoint an inexperienced manager all the braver.
More surprising perhaps than the appointment of Carrick as head coach is the fact that Jonathan Woodgate, a man who himself was Middlesbrough’s head coach only a couple of years ago, will be joining him in the dugout as a first team coach.
Many fans were surprised to see the return of Woodgate but this could prove to be a masterstroke on the club’s part. It gives him the chance to build on his experience as a manager learning from Carrick as well as providing the club a backup. Should Carrick excel in the role and move onto pastures anew, Woodgate might be called upon to succeed him.
The club is expected to bring in another first team coach to work with Carrick, early names linked are Mike Phelan and René Meulensteen, though it isn’t out of question that both could be brought in.
Carrick will be the beneficiary of a unique league season which sees a World Cup squeezed in half-way through. This will afford him almost a month of uninterrupted training ground work with the squad acting as a mini pre-season for him to get his ideas across.
Middlesbrough travel to Preston this Saturday where Carrick will be hoping to get off to a winning start.
